The 'Baba' Frenzy

Over a hundred devotees died at Bhole Baba바카라�s satsang in Hathras recently, many of them women and children, especially from the Dalit or backward communities. The mass tragedy once again revived the debate surrounding babas or self-styled godmen and godwomen and people바카라�s unhealthy obsession with them. Over the last decade, news of godmen like Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and Asaram Bapu, and their nefarious activities, have captured the media바카라�s attention. Many have been imprisoned for fraud and rape. And yet the frenzy doesn바카라�t seem to be dying down. In Outlook바카라�s next issue, we explored why people believe in godmen and godwomen, examining their branding and attending satsangs to witness without judgement.

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Updated on: 23 July 2024 12:14 pm

Baba Bhole Nath's palatial ashram in Mainpuri

Photo: Suresh K Pandey/Outlook

A prostrated devotee pays her obeisance to Baba Bhole Nath outside the gilded gates of his palatial ashram in Mainpuri.

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Photo: Dinesh Parab/Outlook

Visitors of Radha Maa await for a glimpse of the godwoman

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Photo: Suresh K Pandey/Outlook

A devotee from Agra wipes a poster of Baba Bhole Nath outside his ashram in Mainpuri, UP

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Church of Signs and Wonders in Village Khambra, Jalandhar, Punjab

Photo: Tribhuvan Tiwari /Outlook

Ankur Narula Church in Village Khambra, Jalandhar, Punjab

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Baba Bhole Naths earlier residence in Agra

Photo: Suresh K Pandey/Outlook

Baba Bhole Nath's former residence in Agra.

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Cross necklaces sold near Ankur Narula Church

Photo: Tribhuvan Tiwari /Outlook

Cross necklaces sold around Ankur Narula Church.

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Ankur Narula followers during prayer meet in Church

Photo: Tribhuvan Tiwari /Outlook

A woman follower of Ankur Narula crying during Prayer meet in Church.

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Baba Bhole Naths Bichuva ashram in Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh

Photo: Suresh K Pandey/Outlook

Guarded interiors of Baba Bhole Nath's lavish ashram in Bichuva, Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh.

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Photo: Dinesh Parab/Outlook

Gulabdhar Gupta, rickshaw driver, first time visitor at Radhe Maa's house.

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Photo: Dinesh Parab/Outlook

Images of Radhe maa adorn the various corners of her palace

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Photo: Tribhuvan Tiwari /Outlook

Oldest church Saint Mary in Jalander

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Photo: Tribhuvan Tiwari /Outlook

Prayer speech by Ankur Narula Ministries at Jalandhar, Punjab

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Photo: Dinesh Parab/Outlook

Radhe maa sits in her throne in her palace in Mumbai.

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Photo: Tribhuvan Tiwari /Outlook

Sadik Masi convert Hindu to Christian Religion

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Photo: Suresh K Pandey/Outlook

A devotee sports a pendant with Baba Bhole Nath's face on it in Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh. These pendants are sold at his satsangs as merchandise for Rs 10 each.

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